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Wednesday May 22, 2013

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Forelock-Tugging Foreman

Posted by: Derryn Hinch | 27 April, 2012 - 4:56 PM
Bill Shorten (Inset: Derryn Hinch)

You know, for a while there, I thought that Bill Shorten was foreman material. Maybe even one day could take the boss’ job.

But not after yesterday’s behaviour over Slippery Pete when he was being interviewed on SKY News by David Speers. What a stupid, vacuous, forelock-tugging performance.

This is what Bill  Shorten, aspiring Prime Minister said about the Prime Minister’s support for Peter Slipper’s return to the Speaker’s Chair:

‘I haven’t seen what she said but let me say I support what it is she said’.

Talk about, ‘Yes, massa’.

Bill Shorten knew, as most of his Labor Caucus know in their hearts, that the Slipper scandal is a leech that is bleeding them to sure death out there in voter-land.

And it comes on the heels of the still-festering scandal about Craig Thomson  and the allegations that he used thousands of dollars of union dues from long-suffering, lowly-paid hospital workers, to pay for  prostitutes and personal expenses.

Unbelievably, and I believe immorally, Thomson still has Julia Gillard’s public support.

While supporting  his leader on television Shorten has indicated that he doesn’t believe Slipper should re-claim the Speaker’s job while the sexual harassment  charges are outstanding.

‘In terms of my opinion, the sexual harassment allegations are very harmful. They are very serious’.

That crucial Independent Tony Windsor is also now saying that Anna Burke should stay in the chair until all matters are settled and that other – more independent Independent—Andrew Wilkie has gone further. He has threatened to bring on a vote of no confidence himself if Parliament resumes and Slipper Pete is back there in his black robes and jabot, like some medieval judge, lecturing his minions of standards and proper behaviour.

Wilkie says, and I agree with him: ‘This isn’t just any old member of the House of Representatives. Peter Slipper is the Speaker. He controls the Parliament and he safeguards the standards of Parliament’.

The other day I quoted from the court papers. Gave you the explicit details of the  crudities  that Slipper allegedly subjected one of his employees to.

And I said: That’s your regular politician, and your taxpayer dollars, at work. That’s the Peter Slipper -- politician, Speaker of the House of Representatives, ordained Anglican Minister -- that your Prime Minister wants to keep on as protector of protocols, standards and decency in your Parliament. Go figure.

That argument still stands. If Julia Gillard had any sense of decency – let alone political nous – she would cut Slipper loose right now.

She lost the public long ago. Now she’s losing support in Canberra – even from some of those rusted-on supporters who voted for her against Kevin Rudd in February in the belief she would get ‘clear air’ and things would get better. Yeah, right.

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Silliest thing a pollie has said?

Bill Shorten NEIL MITCHELL: Neil says he's seen important and intelligent people say some silly things, but says this gaffe by Bill Shorten is one of the best he's ever heard. Hear what he said and tell us what you think!

Blog comments Your Say

  • Hi Derryn,
    whilst I am compleatly off topic, I wanted to talk to you about organ transplants,and I am greatful that you recieved a second chance as a long time listener not a caller I propose a transplant scheame and this may be a to simplistic approached but why dont they introduce a scheam that allows regesterd doners to actually recieve prioity in the que should they ever need a transplant themselves.as opposed to an opt out program pls tell me what you think preferably an opt out scheme is preferable however what Is wrong with something as simple as this I believe would it make real difference.perhaps like I said this is either to much common sence for the agenceys concerned ,just makes sence. dont you think?

    Aidan Croft Tuesday 1 May, 2012 - 4:45 PM

  • Oh this Shorten joker is a dill. He has proven that in supporting stupid Gillard without knowing the content of her recent media splash. He also needs to inform himself that the cretins who comprise the Reserve Bank Board do not meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month - rather they meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month.

    Sam Monday 30 April, 2012 - 12:08 PM

  • Oh this Shorten joker is a dill. He has proven that in supporting stupid Gillard without knowing the content of her recent media splash. He also needs to inform himself that the cretins who comprise the Reserve Bank Board do not meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month - rather they meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month.

    Sam Monday 30 April, 2012 - 12:03 PM

  • Bill the Dill...He doesn't even know why he is supporting his BOSS (Gillard)
    he just is..Do you have any thoughts of your own Bill, or do you just agree on everything Gillard says.. and you don't even know what she said.,Sounds like dumb and dumber to me...

    Peter Monday 30 April, 2012 - 10:34 AM

  • Shorten would have as much leadership ability as a gorilla in Taronga Park Zoo. Just another worn out labor party ex union hack. I rest my case!

    Samuel Sunday 29 April, 2012 - 11:45 AM

  • You are one to talk aren't darryl. Still alive? Don't worry there's plenty of ready donors for you. From people you wouldn't piss on when they were alive.
    Censoring and ignoring comments again 3aw? Must mean that you have a story to make up?

    Stephen Saturday 28 April, 2012 - 12:03 PM

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